Best Nootropic Teas to Enhance Cognition

All of our teas can help you optimize your health. We only sell nootropic teas and extracts.

We’ve introduced the concept of nootropics and discussed a variety of all-natural nootropics and the ways in which they do the following:

• Enhance memory and learning ability
• Help the brain function under disruptive conditions
• Protect the brain from harmful chemical damage
• Improve neuronal firing mechanisms
• Lack any sedative, stimulant, or toxic effects

Here, we’ll describe the ways that all of our curated teas and extracts qualify as nootropics – and how these teas and extracts can help you optimize your health.

Nootropic Teas and Extracts

All of our highly curated teas and extracts have been shown to protect the brain from harmful chemical damage, and none have sedative, stimulant, or toxic effects.

Phyllanthus niruri is the overall health champ. Phyllanthus (Chanca Piedra, Stonebreaker) is a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. In animal studies, the anti-lipoperoxidative and acetylcholinesterase restoration properties of its flavonoid constituents are credited with protecting sensorimotor and cognitive abilities against damage from pesticide exposure.

Ocimum sanctum is an adaptogen and antioxidant that has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. Ocimum (Holy Basil, Tulsi) protects the hippocampus via modulation of the neuroendocrine feedback loops.

Paeonia lactiflora has glycosides of peony that produce an antidepressant-like effect. A 2009 animal study suggests that the antidepressant-like action of Paeonia (White Peony Root) is likely the result of modulating the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and increasing the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain tissues.

Paeonia extract has also shown neuroprotective properties in animal studies, ameliorating chemically induced neuronal damage in both hippocampus and temporal cortex. Paeonia protects against oxidative stress and may reduce or suppress neuroinflammatory reaction due to decreased blood flow.

Finally, animal studies suggest that Paeonia extract may help regulate autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) in the hippocampus, which correlates with enhanced learning ability.

Polygala tenuifolia is an adaptogen with anti-amnesiac properties. Polygala (Seneca) can improve spatial processing and recognition. Studies suggest that compounds in the herb can slow cognitive decline and increase the level of compounds responsible for brain cell growth, like nerve growth factor (NGF) and BDNF.

Bacopa monnieri (Waterhyssop, Brahmi) is an antioxidant and adaptogen shown to improve cognition by reducing anxiety and improving memory. Bacopa compounds interact with the dopamine and serotonergic systems. Bacopa also promotes neuron communication by enhancing the rate at which the nervous system can communicate by increasing the growth of dendrites (the branches at the end of nerves).

Semen cuscutae is an immunomodulatory adaptogen that has been shown to protect dopaminergic neurons from oxidative and chemical stress damage. The glycoside components in Semen cuscutae (Dodder Seed, Tu Si Zi) can promote neurite growth and improve acetylcholinesterase activity. In short, Semen cuscutae may improve learning and memory by enhancing adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

Terminalia chebula (Myrobalan, Haritaki) is both neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing, managing oxidative stress and acetylcholine pathways.

Cistanche tubulosa is an adaptogen known to promote a healthy circulatory system. Cistanche has also shown positive effects on the immune system, endocrine system, reproductive system, central nervous system, and brain. Research into cistanoside (an active component found only in Cistanche) has shown that use of Cistanche as a dietary supplement can improve memory and slow the aging process of the pituitary, gonads, thymus glands.

Vaccinium uliginosum (Bilberry) supplementation has shown numerous health benefits, including improved learning and memory in aging and neurodegenerative models, neuroprotection from ischemic events, anti-diabetic properties, and modulation of multiple inflammatory cascades.

Blueberry polyphenols have been shown to attenuate learning impairments following neurotoxic insult and exert anti-inflammatory actions, possibly by altering gene expression in the hippocampus. All of which is to say that blueberry consumption enhances cognition and is neuroprotective.

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

We believe the herbs we sell are the best nootropic teas and extracts available. Just to be clear, we say this not simply because they are nootropic but because they support the healthy function of a variety of body systems.

While some nootropic chemicals may be more potent for a specific action, we believe that one-target nootropic wonders come with a cost to overall health. We also didn’t select our curated collection because they were nootropic. However, it turns out that when you seek the best plant-based health supplements for overall health, you also find the best nootropics.

Healthy body, healthy mind. As our faithful readers know by now, our goal isn’t to treat a specific condition but to help you reach your optimal health.